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Posted By Aaron Marcelli on June 20, 2009

1. Donald Miller

Don is one of my favorite authors.  I actually have to be careful when I am writing that I stay true to myself as many times I have realized I may unconsciously be imitating his style – which might actually be of some help to me.  I envy how Donald is able to think like an outsider of religion and be honestly skeptical while still being very involved with and in love with the church.

I actually have got to meet and talk with Don, but it was over a book signing table rather than a coffee at Starbucks.  He seems to be a very calm and quiet person yet speaks with great wisdom and authority.  Plus, maybe if we were sitting together at Starbucks, maybe someone would recognize him and say, “Hey, who is that guy with Donald Miller?”

2. Taylor Swift

I went back and forth several times on whether to keep this teen country pop star on my list or not.  Though I do have her on my Ipod, I could name you three of her songs at best.  But there is just something about her that makes me hope she has continued success.  She has achieved a lot at a very young age, meanwhile carrying herself in a way that indicates she will be able to maintain her simple, girl next door yet whole role model persona when others before her like Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson could not.

I guess I would just like to sit down and talk to her to find out if she is the real deal.  I’m sure she is very aware that she is an icon to millions of young girls who all of the sudden want to make their voices twang too.  I still would take advantage of the chance though to encourage her to not get to a point where she jumps through media hoops, compromises her integrity, or puts on sale the pure and grounded character she radiates to the public.  I also would like to record a duet with her.  Taylor Swift and I could do a mean rendition of “Someday We’ll Know” from the movie A Walk to Remember.

3. Matthew West

Now this contemporary music singer/songwriter may not be considered by many a “celebrity”, but his extremely public life and work effects many and he has quite a following.  You would never know it though.  Matthew comes off as an incredibly real person who just seems to get it.  I went to a concert of his once and afterwords he stood on a chair and asked all his fans in line for an autograph to sing “Happy Birthday” to a disabled man sitting in a wheelchair.  When Mr. West sings from the stage he does so as though he is pouring his life out through his music, all of which is written from real life struggles and lessons rather than just penned on a topic he knows will draw money.

I don’t encourage going into debt, but if there were ever a reason to do so, buying all of Matthew West’s cd’s would be one I may recommend.  It would be a great time of growing and healing I believe to just sit at a diner with Matthew and listen to him talk about his life.  I have the feeling that if I were able to do so, it would not take long for me to become totally connected and engaged, completely forgetting I was sitting across from a rich rock star.

4. Lebron James

I had to put King James on this list simply because he is my favorite athlete and hopefully the savior for my championship deprived home sports town of Cleveland, Ohio.  It would be cool to hang out on the streets in northeast Ohio, close to his hometown and mine.  We could shoot hoops and I could ask him what it’s like to be a millionaire.  I’m also fascinated with how well he handles the media and the ability he has to protect his family and private life.  Though only recognized by most as a great basketball play, Lebron is also a great business man who has chosen those he grew up with as his business partners.  It is as though he is living the dream and wants to share it.  He chooses though to share it with those who stuck with him during the hard times and were true to him before he “made it”.  I could learn a lot from him.

5. Stefani Germanotta

Better known as Lady Gaga, this young pop star has become huge in the past 12-18 months.  Her average observer only notices her skimpy clothes, booty shaking music, and knack for the party scene, but Gaga’s gifts go far beyond that.  She worked for years behind the scenes writing and doing the dirty work for those who got way more money and attention than her.  But she did her best work and when her chance came she was ready to take full advantage.

Now my intention for wanting to hang out with Lady G is not because I think I could be a witness or bring her to Jesus, and I would have a hard time getting work at a church if I were caught in one of her music videos, but she seems like a lot of fun and the kind of person who draws people to herself.  Plus I think it would be cool to bring her home, introduce her to my parents, and then sit down on the couch, flip on MTV, and gauge my family’s reaction.

Category: Entertainment, My Life / Personal
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